Free Highly Compromised Position by Sara Orwig Page A

himself that he didn’t want to break things off with her.
    After three hours of fitful sleep he woke, showered and then called everyone to set a meeting at noon at the club. He then made arrangements at the club for a private room and lunch.
    He went about his usual morning routine with his mind on Rose, no closer to a resolution.
    At midday Tom drove into Royal, passing Pine Valley, the exclusive gated area where he had purchased a condo even though he had only slept in it one night before Lucas had insisted Tom stay on the Devlin ranch. Driving along Main, Tom gazed with satisfaction at his hometown that was built first by ranching and then oil money. Royal had boutiques, expensive shops, eleganthomes. It was a bustling community of wealthy citizens, one he was proud to call home. Campaign signs were scattered along Main, some for Gretchen Halifax, others proclaiming Jake Thorne’s campaign slogan—Thorne for Mayor: A Leader for Tomorrow.
    Tom entered the sprawling, exclusive gentlemen’s club established nearly ninety years ago by Henry “Tex” Langley. Tom liked the friends he’d made in the club, as well as the opportunity to be of service to others.
    As he strode through a vast, high-ceilinged, dark-paneled room filled with heavy leather furniture and a fire blazing in the massive fireplace, he looked at rows of oil paintings, animal heads and antique guns decorating the walls. Maybe the Western heritage in his blood was what had given him an early interest in guns; he had his own collection, including some antiques.
    He was shown to the private room he had reserved, where another fire blazed in the hearth. All of the men had already gathered, and Tom greeted each swiftly, accepting congratulations on ending the feud. Sheriff Gavin O’Neal’s brown eyes held an unmistakable hint of uneasiness, and Tom braced for bad news.

Five
    â€œA ll right, Gavin, what’s the grim outlook?” Tom asked.
    â€œBefore you arrived, we talked about what we can do to move the investigation forward. It’s obvious that we need to figure out some way to flush the killer into revealing himself.”
    â€œThe majority of us decided that we need a decoy,” Mark Hartman added.
    â€œAnd I don’t think so,” Connor snapped, his blue eyes flashing fire.
    â€œSounds like a plan with possibilities. Something needs to be done before one of the Windcrofts gets hurt worse. So where will we get a decoy?” Tom asked, looking at solemn faces.
    â€œWe ask Rose,” Gavin replied, and Tom’s insides knotted. His first reaction was refusal, but before he could voice his opinion, Connor spoke.
    â€œI’m against it. I say no,” Connor repeated. “I don’t think we should put her in harm’s way.”
    â€œShe’s already in it,” Gavin said. “Dammit, all the Windcrofts are. Y’all know they are.”
    For a moment the argument swirled around the room while Tom sat and listened to the myriad reasons for and against Rose trying to entice the killer.
    â€œWhat would make Rose a decoy—even if she agreed to do it?” Tom asked.
    â€œGavin and I talked this over before you arrived,” Jake replied. “If Jessamine Golden’s treasure is the reason for all that’s been happening to the Windcrofts, we let word get out that Rose knows where the gold is hidden. The killer will come after anyone who knows the location of it.”
    Chilled, Tom thought about the risk their plan would put Rose in. His inclination was still a firm refusal, but he thought of the alternatives and the danger threatening the Windcrofts.
    â€œAny event to move us closer to catching whoever is behind the killing and the multiple disasters is progress,” Jake argued.
    â€œWe need to stir the murderer to reveal himself,” Gavin said, supporting Jake. “The longer this drags on without the killer being discovered, the more at risk the